By: Eva Diego, CEO at Hyphen
In conversation with Alexandra Gheorghiu at DCD in Spain, Hyphen CEO Eva Diego builds on her recent interviews about the importance of architectural advice at Stage Zero to explore why re-purposing existing buildings into data centres deserves far more attention.
Re-purposing existing buildings into data centres
While new-build development has long been seen as the default route for data centre development, Eva argues that re-use can offer compelling commercial, operational and environmental advantages, provided assets are assessed rigorously from the outset. The discussion highlights the complexity of converting existing buildings into high-performing digital infrastructure. Not every asset is suitable, and viability depends on a detailed evaluation of key factors including structural capacity, clearance height, modularity, power availability, location, connectivity, efficient use of space, and applicable regulation (which can provide opportunity as well as risk).
Unlocking value
Eva explains that, in the right circumstances, conversion can outperform new construction. Re-using an existing structure can shorten delivery timelines, reduce upfront capital costs and unlock strategic sites that would otherwise be difficult to replicate. She points to projects where challenging buildings still make strong commercial sense because of their proximity to critical networks or high-value urban locations.
Further, retaining an existing structure can significantly reduce embodied carbon, with savings of around 40 percent in some cases. Eva makes the case that these savings should no longer be treated as a secondary benefit, but as a core part of project value and a serious consideration for investors and end clients alike.
Lessons to be learnt
Looking ahead, Eva identifies three costly mistakes the industry should leave behind:
- dismissing re-use too early
- rushing early-stage decisions without enough analysis;
- and treating sustainability as an optional extra rather than a business-critical principle.
This article was first published (in Spanish) in DCD Talks on 29 May 2026: DCD>Talks – Asesoramiento arquitectónico en la Fase Cero y la reconversión de edificios con bajo rendimiento en centros de datos – DCD was first published in Building Design, 5 May 2026
